Wolbachia

Abstract

Wolbachia is a member of the Anaplasmataceae that cannot infect vertebrates but is very widely distributed in arthropods, including many disease vectors. In addition, the presence of Wolbachia in filarial nematodes can lead to immunopathology in the mammalian host. Wolbachia displays a remarkable diversity of phenotypes, including obligate mutualism in filarial nematodes and pathogen protection in some arthropod systems. Natural or artificial Wolbachia-host relationships are currently being exploited for the control of dengue and certain filarial infections. In the near future, Wolbachia-centric methods may also be used to target other diseases, including Zika fever.